Mid-Life Reflections #11

As I get older, the more wiser I become.  It’s strange to say that because I’ve come to the realization that life teaches you many things.  It helps you build strength, character and resolve.  But in all my years, at home, work, school, outings with friends, just life in general,  I’ve learned that it was important for me to stay true to this one quote, “It’s easy to say and harder to do, so follow through on your actions and be a person of your word.”

Your Test Of Strength

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When the chips are all down

and your luck has run out,

take several steps back

cast aside any doubt

 There are often times

when things don’t go your way,

you choose wrong, you fail

making mistakes throughout the day

 You’ve just hit a rough patch

in this journey called life,

just roll with the punches,

bid adieu to the strife

 In the midst of this insanity

there’s always a ray of hope,

that light at the end of the tunnel

is what helps you to cope

 You’ll get through this dilemma

and will reach the other side,

problems encountered hereafter

is taken all in stride

 Take pride in yourself

you’ve fought the good fight,

your character has mettle,

inner strength shown outright

So take charge of your life

when things go awry,

head straight forward, show no fear

wave those bad days goodbye.

Midlife Reflections #5

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Looking back on everything I’ve done in my life, whether it be good or bad, there are definitely things that I would’ve done very differently.  But I guess that’s how we all would feel if given the power of hindsight.  Some would say that what we did was supposed to happen in order for us to learn a lesson or set us on the right path to where we’re going to end up. 

For someone like me who’s a control freak, especially when it comes to my choice of jobs, it’s truly frustrating when you’ve made a bad choice.  After making that critical decision, whether intentionally, hastily or ill-informed, it feels like an eternity trying to get my life back on track.  Everything seems to be in overdrive just to get back to normalcy; but now every turn, every move I make I second guess myself. 

“I shouldn’t have done this!”

“What the hell was I thinking?!”

“What have I gotten myself into?!”

“Am I going to get out of this jam? And when!?”

All these thoughts run a continuous loop in my head and I beat myself up over making that error in judgement.  We’re all human, but I have high expectations of myself and feel like the whole world just came crashing down on me.  I feel trapped with no option in sight.  

We talk to our family and friends about our predicament to get their advice but it turns into a therapy session where we pour our hearts out in hopes of a quick and easy solution.  We’ve all been there…and we’ll all go there again. 

The one thing that keeps me afloat is the prospect of something better on the horizon.  Yeah, I don’t know how long it’ll take to reach that destination but the idea of finding something better keeps that hope alive.  AND I always hold out for hope!  I always err on the side of positivity.  Why?  Because at my lowest point, that’s all I can do.  It’s much better than the alternative; I can’t just give up.  Throwing in the towel and being resigned to the fact that I failed somehow is not an option. 

There is always a way out of every predicament I put myself in.  Strength and faith is all I need to have to know that it’ll all work out in the end.  Nothing’s impossible to overcome, I just have to be willing to take the first step forward…AND I just did.    

What do you do?

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What do you do

when the carrot that’s been dangling

in front of you

gets ripped away

It’s like a punch to the gut

that just sucks the life out of you

Your whole world turns

upside down

Where do you go from here?

How do you cope?

Your battle worn

mind, body and soul

wants to give up

and throw in the towel

But your heart refuses

It is life!

No matter what,

it knows that you are made of sterner stuff

It pumps hope into your core

The source that keeps you alive

that wills you to move forward

past the disappointment,

and the pain

It becomes a shot of adrenaline

that courses through your very fiber

that makes your determination,

your drive

ten times stronger than it was before

and gives you the resolve

to take on greater things

and gives you a true sense of peace

knowing that you’ll overcome

the next disappointment

with strength and inner confidence

and a heart that can

truly stand the test of time.

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Patience…

Patience…

is what it takes to the path of

your dreams, your goals

Patience…

is a virtue they say

but to me it’s a test

Patience…

challenges your hopes,

your strength of will,

your endurance to bear

the uncomfortableness  of it all

So that the light at the end of the tunnel

shines big and bright

like the radiant sun

And all the riches of your hopes and dreams

are there for your taking

So relish the moments

that require patience…

for it truly is a valued trait.

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To Chase The Dream

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We all have various dreams,

some big and some small

Achieving them within our lifetime

is a most daunting task of all

 The failures, the pain,

the constant agony of defeat

Tests our will, our strength and resolve,

it knocks us off our feet

 Constantly trying and failing

is one of the best lesson we’ll get

It develops our drive, determination and passion

improves our successful living skill set

 Learning never stops

we have to grow everyday

Acquiring new and interesting knowledge

helps our dream get underway

 The grind towards the dream continues on,

it’s a path difficult and unclear

We must grit our teeth, head straight-forward

and show that we have no fear

 Our dream will never end

and in our hearts we must be true

To reach our goal, our life-long love

we must persevere and see it through

 So when you’re chasing your dream,

dig deep and give it your all

In the end you’ll fulfill your goal,

you can be proud and stand tall.